Seven tips for applying makeup as you age

As we get older, some of the most noticeable signs of ageing are in our skin, and in particular the skin on our faces. We get wrinkles, and lines, and sun damage – especially living in Australia. No matter how well you care for your skin, ageing is inevitable – we lose collagen, thinning the skin and allowing those lines to form.

Many women forget that as their skin changes, so too should their makeup routine (if they like to wear makeup). What suited you when you were 20, 30, or even 40 probably isn’t going to work so well when you’re 50, 60, or 70+.

Here are a few tips to get the most out of your makeup as your skin ages.

1. Moisturise

It has always been important, but it gets more and more vital the older you get. You also may need to change to a heavier formula in order to put more moisture back into your skin.

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2. Embrace your age!

Makeup isn’t about hiding your face, or trying to create a new one, it’s about enhancing what you already have. Trying to cover up wrinkles with heavy foundations will only result in a dry, cakey look that only serve to make you look older.

Remember, the heavy makeup you wore as a teen or a 20-something was usually in an effort to make you look older, so why would you do that now?

3. Less is more

It’s a cliche, but you hear it so often because it’s true. If you’re using too many products each day, it’s time to pare them back and embrace simplicity.

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4. Use liquid makeup

Your days of the matte, powdered look are over. If you feel you must wear foundation, for a softer, more hydrated look, stick to liquid – preferably one that moisturises too.

5. Keep eye makeup to a minimum

Really heavy or dark eye makeup tends to enhance shadows, making you look older than you are. Instead, focus of simply plumping up your lashes. Move away from the black mascara in favour of a softer dark brown shade.

6. Highlighter

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Instead of trying to brighten your skin with blush or bronzer, try a liquid highlighter instead. It will give you a fresh, luminous glow!

7. Don’t forget your brows!

Brows are an important feature of your face, so don’t forget about them. We’re of the generation that went through the years where the trend was the thinnest possible eyebrows, so it can be difficult. No matter what you’ve got left, enhancing them with a brow pencil can mean you’ll use less makeup on the rest of your face.